Compressor



R. G, WYLD July 23, i935.

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR e 9 m m 2 e. n l @n l u im \N 7 July 23, i935.

R; ca. WYLD COMPRESSOR Filed May 12, .195o

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 2 3, 1935 UNITED STATES COMPRESSOR Reginald G. Wyld, Hollywood, Pa., assigner, by

mesne assignments,

to Baldwin- Southwark Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application May 12, 1930, serial No. 451,787.

27 Claims.

This invention relates to compressor mechanisms and more particularlyto improved means for adjusting the clearance space of a piston and cylinder type of compressor which is especially 5 adapted in the specic form herein disclosed for compressing refrigerants.

While my invention is particularly applicable to refrigeration compressors, it will of course be understood that various features of construction and operation of my device may be employed with compressors for purposes other than refrigeration. In any case, however; if the compressor is driven at constant speed as by la synchoronous motor and should it be desired to vary the compressor load, means must be provided for adjusting the load other than by varying the speed. While various clearance pocket arrangements have heretofore been proposed still they are vnot conducive to a relatively simple structural arrangement or mode of operation for of having sumcient fiexibility of operation so as to take care of any desired increment of load change.

It is an object of my invention to provide an vimproved arrangementfor obtaining a variable clearance space. A further object is to provide an improved 'arrangement whereby a valve mechanism generally associated With a compressor is adapted to be bodily moved to different fixed positions so as to adjust the clearance space. Another and. more specific object in this respect is to provide an improved arrangement for'bodily moving a discharge valve mechanism disposed. transversely of the cylinder, and'to have they arrangement such that for any adjustment of the clearance space the fluid flows in the same manner through the valve mechanism and discharge passages. Another object is to provide improved means for supporting the discharge valvemechanism in such a. way that a standard valve and cylinder may be used. Still another object is to provide improved means for adjusting the valve and to have provision whereby if undue moves the valve mechanism momentarily to such a position that the slug of liquid escape withoutnecessarily passing through the valve mechanism .or breaking any parts. However in my improved construction the valve is adjustable over an extended distance sothat iii the case of 5 a yieldable mounting it must be capable of permitting this -extended adjustment Without reducing the effectiveness of the safety feature or Without hindrance therefrom While in the preferred formed of my invention it is desired to 10 provide safety means other than a resilient mounting. In this latter respect it is a further object of my invention to provide an improved arrangement 'whereby all of the elements are rigidly held and yet are' adapted forthe necesl5 sary ease of adjustment. In this particular embodiment the safety member is so designed and located with respect to the machine that the cost of the broken member and the labor cost of replacing the same is relatively small. A further 20 object is, in this respect, to have the safety member perform the additional function of assisting in the adjusting operation. f i

Another object of the invention is to provide a modified form of safety arrangement adapted to resilient yield under abnormal forcesand to provide further an arrangement of this type wherein the resilient forces are self-contained and thus do not interfere with the desired ease .or extent y of adjustment. 30

Other objects and advantages will be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art and various modifications and arrangements will also be more apparent to such persons from the following description of the accompanying drawings in which: i l

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper end of a. compressor cylinder and valve mechanism with my improved adjusting mechanism therefor; 40

2 is a bottom plan view of the valve mechanism; Y

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modied form of safety arrangement.

In the illustrated embodiment of the inventio only the upper end of a compressor cylinder has 4been shown, it being understood that-the compressor herein specifically considered is of the piston and cylinder type in which a piston la reciprocates in a-cylinder I as by a usual crank and connecting rod (not shown) adapted to impart only a xed length of stroke to the piston at all times, or inother words, the piston has a constant or invariable displacement. Any usual or suitable form of inlet valve may be employed such,

for instance, yas the type of inlet valve mounted in the piston Ia. Inasmuch as the inlet valve for this type of compressor is well known, the foregoing will sufce. The cylinder may be provided with a suitable water jacket 2 and a series of annular discharge grooves 3 terminating in a discharge passage 4 in one side of the cylinder. Passage 4 extends a substantial distance around the circumference of the cylinder as is well known in usual compressor construction. A sleeve 5- is disposable within a bore 6 in which the annular grooves 3 are formed and rests upon a suitable seat 1. A plurality of ports 8, of any desired number depending upon the capacity of the compressor, extend through the sleeve or valve housing 5 to permit discharge from the cylinder I through a valve mechanism 9 and into the discharge passage 4.

The valve mechanism 9 is herein shown as being of the spring held annular plate valve type, although of course it will be understood that any usual or desirable type of valve mechanism may be employed. The Valve mechanism as shown comprises a circular flanged valve seat member I0 and a similar circular flanged valve cage and spring retainer member I I. These two members have suitable ports to permit ilow of fluid therethrough, and are clamped together and removably held in a cylindrical member I2 by a. suitable annular ring I3 having threaded engagement therewith, these elements constituting 'a container for the valve mechanism. Member I2 has an opening I4 terminating in a recess I5, wherein the flanges of the valve members are clamped, and is also provided with a suitable piston ring or packing 5a on its periphery to prevent leakage past the same. A suitable dowel pin I6 positively locks the threaded ring I3 and cylindrical containing member I2 'against relative rotation. 'I'he cylindrical member I2 and valve mechanism, together comprising a movable internal cylinder head, are moved axially within the bore of the sleeve-5 as by a yoke I1 having its spaced fingers secured to, preferably as by being cast integrally with, the ring I3. The yoke also has a central boss I8 to which an operating stem I9 is xed as by a collar 20 formed integral with the stem I9 and a nut 2|. The 4operating stem I9 projects upwardly through a packing gland 22, formed in a closed external xed cylinder head 23 suitably bolted to the cylinder as by bolts 24, and extends upwardly through a safety or breakable yoke 25 Which in turn has its leg portions removably bolted to the cylinder head 23. The cross-sectional area of this yoke is designed so that it breaks when a predetermined force is applied to the inner side of the movable internal cylinder head. Theffoperating stem-I9 is held against rotation as by a key 26 supported in the yoke 25 and engaging a keyway 21 formed in and extending a substantial axial distance of the operating stem. The stem is also provided with a relatively coarse screw thread which cooperates with a rotatable nut 28. This nut has a portion 29 extending within a suitable recess in the yoke 25 and is removably secured to a hand wheel 30 as by keys 3l. A locknut 32 engages the under side of the yoke 25 and when released hand wheel `3l! may be rotated whereupon the operating stem I9 and internal cylinder head are moved axially in either desired direction so as toI vary the clearance space between the piston and head. After adjustment, the lock nut 32 is tightened whereupon it is seen that due to the arrangement of parts there is no tendency whatsoever for the aooasoe valve mechanism and its container I2 or any of the adjusting elements to vibrate or move alternately in opposite axial directions in accordance with the successive compression strokes of the piston. For example, under normal operation the passage 4 and the chamber or space in the cylinder head 23 contains fluid under a pressure of, say, 200 lbs. whereas the cylinder pressure during one cycle of operation would vary from say 15 lbs. to 203 lbs. It is thus seen that there would be a differential pressure force alternately acting on the opposite sides of the valve mechanism and its container I2 thereby tending to reciprocally -move these parts unless they are so suitably held, as herein, to prevent such movement. However, as previously pointed out my improvedv arrangement not only provides this desirable degree of rigidity but also is adapted to permit effective adjustment with a high degree of ease and ilexibility.

It is seen from the description herein that toy use my improved arrangement it is only necessary to take a standard compressor and remove its conventional valve mechanism and cylinder head for which the parts of my improved arrangement are substituted. If for any reason it is desired to convert the compressor back into the non-adjustable type it may be done merely by removing sleeve 5 and the adjustable features used in connection therewith, including head 23, etc., and then` seating a usual valve assembly on seat 1 and bolting a standard cylinder head on the cylinder. y

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, a heavy coil spring 35 is interposed between yoke I1 and a collar 20' formed preferably integrally with the operating stem I 9. This stem and all of the remaining structure and its operation are otherwise identical to the Fig. 1 form except that the valve assembly is adapted to slide, as by its yoke, on the operating stem against the force of spring 35 when a predetermined excessive force occurs in the cylinder. The valve assembly may yieldingly move until it engages nut 2I' or the end of the operating stem, these parts being suitably spaced to permit the necessary amount of movement either torelieve the excess pressure or prevent damage to the machine. due to the presence of liquid in the cylinder., The tension of spring 35 may be adjusted by nut 2|' thereby permitting any desired degree of safety.

As a result of this arrangement the spring forces are entirely 'self-contained with the valve mechanism and its adjusting stem I9' as by being interposed between yoke I1 and collar 20' whereby upon adjustment of the valve assembly thev spring moves therewith without any variation in its tension. Hence it is not necessary to overcome or encounter in any way the spring action during adjustment of the clearance space thereby insuring the same ease of adjustment as in the rigid form, and in addition allowing use of a yieldable safety arrangement. v It desired the yoke 25 may be designed for breaking, as in the other form, in case the cylinder forces should exceed the capacity of the yieldable safety arrangement. The breaking point would of course be sufficiently greater than the yielding point of spring 35. The corresponding parts of the two forms are given the same reference numbers ex-A cept for the parts above mentioned.

The invention has been illustrated as applied to vertical compressors but itis also applicable to horizontal compressors. A

While I have illustrated two specific forms which the invention may assume it will of course be understood that various other modifications and rearrangements of parts may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and in either case or withv either modification it is seen that the discharge valve mechanism or internal movablecylinder head is adapted to have limits of adjustment beyond travel of the piston so that the clearance space may be adjusted even during operation of the compressor without danger of the piston hitting the adjustable head. This arrangement is further advantageous where a synchronous motor drives the compressor as it does not necessitate stopping the synchronous motor to effect the clearance adjustment and then restarting and resynchronizing the motor. Due to the fixed discharge passage and the discharge space behind the internal head, a relatively simple arrangement is provided especially where it is desired to convert a compressor with a standard head into one having an adjustable clearance space. A 'I claim:

:L1A compressor having a piston and cylinder of invariable piston displacement, a valve mechanism therefor, means providing a space behind said valve mechanism for receiving fluid discharged from the compressor, a fixed passage communicating with said space, and means for moving said valve mechanism to vary the clearance space of the cylinder, said valve mechanism being normally operative for different adjusted positions thereof, whereby the output of the compresser is varied by adjustment of said clearance space.

2. A compressor having a cylinder and a discharge passage therefor, a discharge valve mechanism, means having 'a bore in 'which said valve mechanism is disposable for peripheral sealing contact therewith 'during axial adjustment of the valve mechanism, and means for adjustably moving said valve mechanism axially of said bore and relative to said discharge passage to vary the clearance space of the'cylinder in propor-v tionto the extent of said adjustment.

3. A compressor having a cylinder, a dischargevalve mechanism disposed transversely thereof, means providing a space behind said valve mechanism and into which compressedgas is.,

' discharged from the cylinder through said valve mechanism, a xed passage communicating with said space, and means for supporting said valve mechanism for movement axially of said cylinder to vary the cylinder clearance space.

4. A compressor having a cylinder, a valve mechanism disposed transversely of and coaxially with said cylinder, means providing a bore in which said valve mechanism is disposed, means providing a discharge passage communieating with said bore from a point above said valve mechanism, and means for moving said valve mechanism axially of said cylinder to vary the clearance space thereof While normalv communication of said passage with said bore is` maintained.

5. A compressor having a cylinder, means providing a bore associated with said cylinder,- a valve mechanism axially movable in said bore to vary the clearance space of the cylinder; and

means forming a discharge passage leading from said valve mechanism and so arranged that irrespective of the adjusted position of the valve mechanism fluid communication between the cylinder and said passage is maintained only through the valve mechanism. l

6. The combination in a compressor comprising a fixed cylinder head, means including a discharge valve disposed transversely of the cylinder to determine the clearance space thereof, said cylinder head and transverse means providing a space into which compressedgfiuid is discharged, and means for connecting said transverse member with said cylinder head including an externally disposed breakable member.

'7. The combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder and piston, a movable member disposed transversely of the cylinder to determine the clearance space thereof, the limits of adjustment of said transverse member being beyond any' possible travel of said. piston, a fixed cylinder head, a rod connected to said transverse movable member and extending through said head, a breakable yoke supported by said cylinder, and means operatively connecting said rod to said yoke.

B. The combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder, a movable member disposed transversely of the cylinder to determine the clearance space thereof, a discharge valve mechanism carried in said transverse member, a xed cylinder head, said fixed head and transverse member forming a space therebetween and into which compressed fluid isdischarged, a rodconnected to said transverse member and extending through said head, a breakable yoke supported by said cylinder and operatively connected to said rod through an adjustable threaded connection.

9. he combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder, a member carrying a discharge valve mechanism disposed transversely of the cylinder and movable axially thereof, a space behind said transverse member into which compressed uid is discharged, a threaded rod extending rearwardly from said transverse member, a nut threaded on said rod, and means whereby relative rotation may be effected between said rod and nut to adjust said transversely disposed member thereby to vary the clearance space.

10. rI'he combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder, a member disposed transversely of the cylinder and movable axially thereof, a threaded rod 4extending rearwardly from said transverse member, a nut threaded on said rod, and means whereby relative rotation may be effected between said rod and nut to adjust said transversely disposed member thereby to vary the clearance space, said transverse rnember including a discharge valve mechanism and a iixed discharge space behind said valve mechanism.

l1. The combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder, axially movable discharge valve mechanism disposed transversely thereof, a fixed cylinder head, a rod extending through said head, means for preventing rotation of said rod,

an adjustable nut having threadedengagementA with said rod, and means fory supporting said nut Yilfiereby upon adjustment thereof said valve ing a cylinder, an external cylinder head, an axially movable internal cylinder head disposed on the inner side of said fixed cylinder head, means providing a discharge passage from the space between said internal and external heads, and

means for effecting axial adjustment of said internal head whereby the clearance space for the cylinder is varied while said discharge passage is at all times normally operative and maintained in a single .relation to said heads and cylinder.

i3. The combination in a compressor comprisiing a cylinder having in one end 4thereof a stepped bore provided with uid conducting recesses therein, a sleeve insertable within said bore and having a passage therethrough whereby communication may be had between said recesses and the interior of said sleeve, a valve mechanism disposed^within said sleeve and transversely thereof in front of said communicating passage, and means for effecting relative adjustment between said valve mechanism and cylinder whereby the clearance space of the cylinder may be varied while at all times maintaining the valve mechanism on the inner side of said communieating passage.

14. The combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder having in one end thereof a stepped bore provided with iluid conducting recesses therein, a sleeve insertable within said bore and having a passage therethrough whereby'communication may be had between ssaid recesses and the interior of said sleeve, a valve mechanism disposed within said sleeve transversely thereof in front of said communieating passage, and means for effecting relative adjustment between said valve mechanism and cylinder whereby the clearance space of the cylinder may be varied while at all times maintaining a valve mechanism yon the inner side -of said communicating passage, said adjusting means including a container, for the valve mechanism, having a yoke provided with spacedflngers and` an operating rod extending from said yoke.

15. A compressor having a cylinder, a valve mechanism therefor, means for moving said valve mechanism to vary the clearance space of the cylinder, and resilient safety means adapted to yield upon occurrence of predetermined pressure conditions in the cylinder.

16. A compressor having a. cylinder, a valve mechanism therefor, means for moving said valve mechanism to vary the clearance space of the cylinder, and means for resiliently holding said valve mechanism in position and adapted to yield upon occurrence of a predetermined force within the cylinder.

- 17. A compressor having a cylinder, a valve mechanism therefor, adjustable means for moving said valve mechanism to vary the clearance space of the cylinder, and means self-contained with -said valve mechanism and its adjustable means fo'r resiliently holding said valve mechanism, whereby adjustment of said valve mechanism may be eected independently of the resilient holding force. y

18. A compressor having a cylinder and piston therein, a discharge valve mechanism for said cylinder, means carried by said cylinder to provide a fixed space behind said valve mechanism and into which compressed fluid is discharged, and means whereby said valve mechanism is adjustable to vary lthe clearance space of said and` seat member within and in fixed relation to said containing means, and means for adjusting said valve and containing means as a unit to different positions to vary the clearance space of said cylinder, said valve mechanism performing its normal valve functions during different adjusted positions thereof.

20. The combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder, a valve mechanism therefor having a pair of flanged elements, a valve container for releasably clamping said elements together by the flanges thereof, and means whereby said container and valve mechanism is adapted to be adjusted to different positions for varying the clearance space of the cylinder and in any adjusted position said valve mechanism remains normally operative.

21. The combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder having a xed discharge passage at one end thereof, a discharge valve mechanism interposed between said cylinder and fixed passage, and means for adjustably guiding said valve mechanism to vary the cylinder clearance space including a sleeve adapted to be removably associated with said cylinder and within which said valve mechanism is slidably disposed.

22. The combination inacompressor comprising a cylinder having a fixed discharge passage at one end thereof, a discharge valve mechanism interposed between said Acylinder and fixed passage, and means for adjustably guiding said valve mechanism to vary the cylinder clearance space including a sleeve adapted to be removably associated with said cylinder and Within which said valve mechanism is slidably disposed, said sleeve having lateral discharge ports therethrough communicating with said discharge passage.

23. The combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder and piston of invariable displacement, a valve mechanism for said cylinder, a cylinder head and a fixed discharge passage formed between said valve mechanism and said head, and means for adjustably supporting said valve mechanism to vary the clearance ,space of said cylinder including a valve container having a cylindrical portion provided with a recess in which said valve mechanism is disposed and an annular elementxin threaded engagement with said cylindrical portion to clamp said valve mechanism in said recess.

24. The combination in a compressor comprising a cylinder and piston of invariable displacement, a valve mechanism for said cylinder, a cylinder head and a xed discharge passage formed'between said valve mechanism and said head, means for adjustably supporting said valve mechanism to vary the clearance space of said cylinder including a valve container having a cylindrical portion provided with a recess in which said vvalve mechanism is disposed and an annular element in threaded engagement with said cylindrical portion to clamp said valve mechanism in said recess, a yoke carried by said annular clamping member, and means associated with said yoke for adjusting the position of said valve mechanism.

25. A compressor having a cylinder, means providinga clearance bore, a valve mechanism disposed in said bore, means providing a closed space behind said valve mechanism, said space having communication with said cylinder through said valve mechanism, means providing a stationary discharge Vpassage communicating with said space from a point above said valve mechanism, and means for moving said valve mechathe cylinder space and disspace when the valve is in different adjusted positions.

27. A compressor having a cylinder, a bore communicating therewith, an adjustable clearance piston axially movable in said bore, and yieldable means self-contained with said clearance piston whereby said piston may be adjusted independently of the yielding force of the yielding means but will temporarily yield against excessive forces Within the cylinder and thereafter automatically return to and maintain its adjusted position upon restoration of normal cylinder conditions.

REGINALD G. WYLD. 

